A time and motion study of the anaesthetist's intraoperative time.

A time and motion study was made of anaesthetists during 32 surgical procedures. Thirteen activities performed by the anaesthetist were defined for the study. Time and event data were recorded electronically and analysed by digital computer. Activity and link analysis techniques were used to analyse the data. Only 25% of intraoperative time was spent observing the physiological state of the patient. Seventy-five percent was spent in secondary or indirect activities. Direct observation of the patient was least in the middle of the procedure when the anaesthetist was performing secondary activities. Prudent use of personnel, machines, or both, to perform activities not requiring full medical knowledge and training should increase the anaesthetist's ability to focus full attention on the state of the patient and may improve patient care.